Despite their "made for the tourists" origin, modern
tupilaqs are made with very high degrees of artistic skill and
craftsmanship. East Greenland is reckoned to be the
best place to buy tupilaqs of the best designs and greatest
skill in manufacture.
Most are made from reindeer antler
(which has to be imported from west Greenland or elsewhere or
from narwhal tusk. As of mid 2009 in Ammassalik / Tasiilaq a
tupilaq cost from around 70-200 Euros if made of reindeer antler,
the narwhal ones weren't priced (i.e. "price on application")
and I'm afraid I didn't ask how much they were.
Unfortunately
for me I didn't buy one, but I certainly will the next time
I go to Greenland!
Picture copyright Paul Ward 2009.
Pentax digital equipment.
